§13013. Professional teacher certificate

1.  Definition.  A professional teacher certificate is a renewable certificate issued to an individual who has met the qualifications of this section.

[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

2.  Qualifications.

[PL 1991, c. 682, §3 (RP).]

2-A.  Qualifications.

[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (RP); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

2-B.  Qualifications.  State board rules governing the qualifications for a professional teacher certificate must require that the certificate may be issued only to an applicant who, at a minimum, meets one of the following:

A. Has graduated from an educator preparation program and has passed a qualifying exam;   [PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (NEW); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

B. Can demonstrate subject matter competency obtained through work experience that is directly related to any endorsements being sought and has held a conditional certificate under section 13012-A for 3 years;   [PL 2019, c. 518, §2 (AMD).]

C. Has successfully completed a preparation program in a state with which the State is participating in an interstate compact, subject to the following:

(1) Completion of an approved preparation program for the endorsement or certificate being sought with a formal recommendation for certification from the institution; and

(2) In the 5 years prior to applying for certification in this State, the applicant has 3 years of successful teaching experience under a valid comparable certificate in a state with which the State is participating in the interstate compact.

If advanced study or tests are required in the State, the commissioner has the right, as specified in the interstate compact, to issue only a conditional certificate under section 13012-A; or   [PL 2017, c. 381, §15 (AMD).]

D. Is otherwise qualified by having met the criteria established by the state board for teaching in a specified area.   [PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (NEW); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

[PL 2019, c. 518, §2 (AMD).]

3.  Endorsements.  A professional teacher certificate must be issued with an endorsement that specifies the grades and subject area that the teacher is deemed qualified to teach. A holder of a professional teacher certificate may not teach outside the certificate holder's area of endorsement unless the certificate holder has received a waiver from the commissioner in accordance with state board rules.

[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

4.  Five-year certificate.  A professional teacher certificate is issued for a 5-year period.

[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

5.  Renewal.  A professional teacher certificate may be renewed for 5-year periods in accordance with state board rules, which must require, at a minimum, that the teacher, whether employed or unemployed, complete at least 6 semester hours of professional or academic study or in-service training designed to improve the performance of the teacher in the field. If the teacher has attained certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, the renewal period is for 10 years.

[PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (NEW); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1983, c. 845, §4 (NEW). PL 1991, c. 682, §§2-4 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 435, §5 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 320, §§3,4 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 266, §§16,17 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 75, §6 (AMD). PL 2001, c. 534, §4 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 235, §12 (AMD). PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF). PL 2017, c. 381, §15 (AMD). PL 2019, c. 518, §2 (AMD).